[RMPNG]

My only portable audio player at the moment is my 1st gen 512mb iPod shuffle, and although I am getting an iPod in September, I still feel the need to have something better than my iPod/PSP stock IEMs. My price range is only up to 30 dollars sadly, so please keep that in mind.

I'm looking for something 'soft' to complement my shuffle. I'm not going for bass-heavy or anything like that, but the best sounds I can get for classical/acoustic music. Of course, I do listen to some other music, but this is my primary music choice. Thank you very much!

 

[niftymatt]

JVC Marshmallows, really there is not much else in that price range that can compare.

 

[GendoIkari]

Second vote for marshmellows.

edit : figured I'd narrow it down - JVC FX33 Marshmellows, available online or at best buy for under $30

 

[RMPNG]

This is great so far, thank you! I think I will go with these.

I do have a question though. Do the PX100s leak sound a lot? Do the JVC marshmallows leak sound? My friend is interested in the PX100s but he does not have a Head-Fi account. Thanks!

EDIT: Also, will the sounds be sharper than the iPod/PSP stock IEMs?

 

[dagobah]

You'll have some sound leakage with the PX100, and shouldn't have any with the Marshmallows.

Both are at least a step up from the stock ipod headphones, and I'd imagine the PSP ones as well, though I haven't heard them.

 

[Veggie_Musician]

PX100 are better than the Marshmallows - but depends what you need in a pair of headphones! My Marshmallows kill classical music - too muddy and boomy bass! If you want something good for classical - look for some EX85's seen them go quite cheaply in some places - and mod them using my EX90 modding thread. With my mod you can easly adjust the bass and treble levels by making the pin hole in cling film bigger or smaller!

 

[BetaLyr]

The Marshmallows don't have as much isolation as other IEMs/canalphones, but they can work. As other people have said, they're the best you can get for $30 and under.
If you're willing to raise your budget, you can get the MylarOne X3 for $57 at Jaben

 

[RMPNG]

Thanks for all of the replies everyone! I think I will go with the marshmallows, since that seems to be the best choice after reading.

In the meantime, I just put the iBud foam covers on my PSP IEMs and it sounds x2 better

.

 

[biged]

Circuit City often has their Marshmallows on sale.

 

[BushGuy]

Don't know if this can be possibly helpful to you, or not - recently got one of those $39 1st gen. Shuffles - fantastic with 1st gen. (mine are Flashblack) Vibes. Otherwise, my main rig is iModded iPod 40gig/Xin Supermacro LE/ modded Senn. HME25.

 

[Aevum]

im sorry, i tested the mashmellows, they are horrible, i dont get it, it might be a cruel joke by Head-fi members, or people who recommend them didnt hear them, but i truly think that the JVC Marshmellows are a case of the "emperors new cloths" and im saying the emperor is NAKED, i tried the marshmellows with the kramer mod, with CX300 tips, and they leak sound, they damage my ears with the peaks, they sound really rough and scraping, and there is NO isolation, i wouldnt recommend these to my worst enemy,

go for creative EP630 or go for the mylarone X3, but the FX33 are horrible in my opinion

 

[dissembled]

For $30, JBL 220 is a steal.

 

[Hi-Finthen]

Push your budget to an AL iM616 @ $70...IMO

Good luck~

 

[brokenwallet]

I have the ep-630 and i don't recommend it for shuffles. These are highly sensitive phones, you'll hear hiss from either gen shuffles (more so on the 2nd gen).

I find both gen shuffles can drive my im716 really well, good combination.

 

[golgi]

I would say get the marshmallows, they are really good for the price.

Aevum, is it possible that the ones that you heard were not modded properly? The reason I ask is because my other phones are Senn 580's which are smooth and the jvc's do not seem bright or harsh in comparison.